COLIN WATERFIELD AND HIS SHOCKING SEXUAL ABUSE IN NORWICH
A man who was sexually abused as a teenager has been awarded a substantial compensation of £77,000 after a legal process that spanned more than a quarter of a century, culminating in a conviction.The victim, now aged 42, was subjected to sexual abuse between the ages of 13 and 15 by Colin Waterfield, a resident of Norwich.
Waterfield was ultimately sentenced to 21 years in prison in 2017 after being found guilty of multiple counts of rape and sexual assaults involving eight children and one adult.
The history of this case is complex and somewhat delayed.
It was revealed in a hearing at Norwich Crown Court that Waterfield’s abusive conduct had been investigated back in the 1990s, with authorities scrutinizing allegations of sexual misconduct involving boys.
However, no formal charges or prosecutions resulted from those early inquiries at the time.
It was only in 2013 that the case was reopened, leading to subsequent criminal proceedings.
Following Waterfield’s convictions, law enforcement and legal advisors encouraged the victim to revisit his previous case with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
Initially, the victim's mother had filed a claim in 1996, which resulted in a modest award of £1,000 in damages.
This initial compensation was based on earlier recognition of the assault, but it was not sufficient to reflect the severity or the enduring impact of the abuse.
Recent developments saw the victim being granted a significantly increased damages payout after his case was reopened and re-evaluated.
The new award, set at £77,000, was granted based on the classification of his injuries as being within the 'severe' category of sexual abuse crimes.
The decision took into account his ongoing mental health struggles, including severe anxiety, depression, and symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
These conditions have profoundly affected his life, rendering him unable to work for nearly a decade.
The victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous, continues to face the residual effects of his trauma.
He suffers from persistent flashbacks, suicidal thoughts, and has endured periods of homelessness and substance dependency, relying on alcohol and drugs during his darkest times.
Despite these hardships, he has found stability with his partner, and together they are building a future, with the man now also a father.
Expressing the significance of the compensation, the victim stated, “Nothing can ever take away what happened to me, but this compensation award will make a big difference for me and my family as everything has been a struggle.
It will help us pay the bills, heat the home, and ease some of the pressure we’ve been under, which all stems from the continuing impact of what I experienced.
It obviously can’t change the past, but it is some recognition of the effect it has had on my life, and it offers a degree of closure.” Legal professionals highlighted the importance of the medical reopening process, which allowed for new evidence to be introduced.
A report from a clinical psychologist underscored the persistent and debilitating symptoms linked to the abuse, reinforcing the case for increased compensation.
Rebecca Pick, a specialist representing the victim in his claim to the CICA through Hudgell Solicitors, emphasized that such awards, while significant, do not mark the end of the suffering for victims.
“This award is far from an end for him, it never is for anyone who has suffered such horrific abuse,” she remarked.
“However, he has taken steps to start a new chapter with his partner and child, and we sincerely hope this helps him find some peace and stability.”
